Spindle and power-transmitting mechanism therefor.



H. L. BROWN.

SPlNDLE AND POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISM THEREFOR.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1912. v 1,229,025. Patented June 5, 1917.

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H. L. BROWN.

SPINDLE AND POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANTSM THEREFOR.

APPLICATTON FILED APR- 8, I912. 1,229,025.

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Inventor:

Atty

Patented June 5, 1917.

Patentedlune 5, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8. I912.

I I d 403 4 31a 3 j g 311 4 i 312 317 Q 309 03 313i z Inventor; by M Atty CJI

tint areas 1 i i HENRY L. BROWN, OF. NEl/V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 BROWN SPIN-WRIGHT COM- IE'ANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPINDLE AND POWER-TRANSMITTING MECHANISM THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

Application filed April 8, 1912. Serial No. 689,285.

for, of which the following description, in f connection with the accompanying draw- 1ngs, 1s a specification, llke characters on the drawings designating like parts.

This invention relates to power transmit ting apparatus, and is of particular utility when embodied in spindles or arbors for' spinning, twisting, or winding, or similar treatment of cotton, wool, silk, flax and other fibers, filaments or analogous materials, especially in the textile industry, although 1 contemplate the use of my improvements in any field for which they are adapted by their nature.

An important object of my invention is to provide a connecting device by means of which each spindle in a spinning frame or similar machine may be organized with a positively acting power transmitting system, such as the perforated driving bands and toothed driving pulleys disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 957,650, granted May 10, 1910, and Number 1,016,394 granted February 6, 1912, and to make this connection of such character that the rotation of each of the spindles may be arrested at will without interfering with the opera tion of any ofthe other spindles or of the system as a whole, the band and driving gear being normally in continuous operation, while individual spindles may be checked for a desired purpose, such as for piecing up or tying a broken thread, or for withdrawal of a spindle for repairs or adjustment, and. thereafter the spindle so checked may be coupled promptly and positively for co-rotation with its actuating gear, provision being made preferably for initiation of rotation automatically when the spindle blade is released. I

Another object of my invention is to provide for the completion of a positively acting connection of the rotatable spindle part and its actuating member as quickly as may be desirable in the initial rotative impulse, which may, and preferably will, be frictional, so that there will not be undue shock, due to a sudden leap from restto a speed of from 5,000 t 10,000 tur p r minute,

'actuative engagement with the Still another important object is to permit retrograde rotation of the rotatable part, if desired, relatively to the direction of, and during, rotation of the system as a whole, while among other important objects of my invention, is to provide a connection of prac tically universal applicability to meet the diverse exigencies of particular installations in which such power systems are utilized, and for this purpose I prefer to use for the actuating means in my novel connection, a clutch member or members subject to the operation of a principle or force practically invariable in action, and therefore thoroughly reliable.

For this purpose I may use to advantage any suitable clutch or connection, and notably a connection in which centrifugal force animates the connecting member, which latter may be of any suitable character, such as a ball or series of balls (preferably three) arranged in equidistant recesses in a part fast upon an inner member such as the spindle blade, so that when this part is rotated the balls move outward radially into adjacent walls of another member which is constructed in connection with the source of power and the balls are gripped thereby and turned therewith, so that during the operation of connection. the rotating connecting member, the ball-carrying member, and the spindle blade rotate as a unitary structure and preferably are so arranged that the ballcarrying member and the connecting and clutch membersmay at all times be removed "as a unitary structure, with the spindle blade, and replaced similarly in the spindle base, by grasping the spindle blade.

The object-of my invention comprises also means for applying brakes to such spindles as may require the same, and also suitable means to limit the removability of the spindle blade during the doiling operation; such device serving to aid the removal of the bobbin or tube from the spindle blade by the sudden check of the blade as it is lifted.

The structure of the lubricating and protective trough, especially as contributory to control of the spindle blade, is another important object of my invention, including provision for maintaining in predetermined relation the means to check axial movement f the blade at the desired point without interfering with the normal rotation thereof,

provision being also made for preventing escape of lubricant through the clearance between the spindle blade and its checking means, the clearance being preferably arranged as a tortuous passage for this purpose.

i The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawing and specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a spindle in the construction of whichmy invention has been embodied, this figure showing also power transmitting mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, the whole being shown as mounted on a support illustrated in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a View in elevation of the spindle blade and related .,parts shown separately, certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 33 Fig. 2;

Fig. 1 is a detail view in plan of the driv- 1 ing gear shown in Fig. 1, taken separately and looking from bottom to top;

Fig. 5 is a view in section of one of the driving teeth taken separately.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are respectively views showing modified forms of spindle embodying my invention;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the spindle and spindle mil with related parts shown in Fig. 8.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the part designated by the reference numeral 1 is a spindle blade which may be of any suitable material and construction and is herein shown as comprising a well known type of metal blade mounted in a spindle base .2 provided with a bolster 3, the'base 2 being seated upon a spindle rail 4 to which it is secured by a nut 5, the step of the spindle being indicated in dotted lines at 6, and all these parts being likewise of any suitable construction and preferably similar in structure to corresponding parts in spindles as commonly in use at the present day, the neck 7 of the spindle base being preferably turned accurately to give a cylindrical exterior surfalce perpendicular to the under-surface 8 of the flange 9. I

The above neck when thus constructed serves as a bearing for a gear 10, when, as I prefer, such a device is adapted to serve as the rotatable driving member of the spindle, the gear in this instance having teeth 11 to enter apertures 12 in a suitable driving band 13, the latter constituting one convenient form, and the preferred form, of actuating device for the spindles, as provided in my United States Letters Patent No. 957,650. of May 10, 1910, and No.

1,016,394, of February 6, 1912, in which the band of metal is disclosed as means to drive positively a multiplicity of spindles steadily at the desired speed.

The reference numeral 16 designates a eylindrical bushing, which may be and preferably is provided to constitute a compound bearing intermediate the neck of the base and gear 10, and 17 designates a coil spring upon which the gear 10 rests or floats, so that its weight does not hang upon the band 13, and the latter may follow its tendency to slight vertical vibration while moving in a longitudinal direction. The reference numeral 18 indicates a trough-like member of suitable material such as compressed fiber, having suitable apertures 19 to pass the spindle bases 2 snugly, this trough like member serving to inclose the spindle and band at the region of engagement of the band with the gear, preventing escape of lubricantand also preventing injury to employees by accidental contact with the rapidly moving band and gears.

The reference numeral 20 designates an inverted trough member of similar cross section, preferably made of compressed. fiber and of suitable width to extend downward telescopically in close engagement with the trough 18, preferably within the same, and having apertures 21 each of suitable size to pass the corresponding spindle blade, and its related p arts. This trough cover member 20 may be supported by any suitable means at the proper height from the bottom of the lower trough member 18, and for this purpose I prefer to provide a metal top member 25 to which the fiber trough cover member 20 may be secured, as by rivets, the metal top member being supported directly from the spindle rail 1 preferably by suitable means such as posts similar to those shown diagrammatically at 27 in 9 of this application, the same forming the subject of a more detailed disclosure in my copending application, Serial No. 67 5,402.

In order to prevent the spindle blade 1 from being withdrawn, at the time of doiiing the usual bobbin or tube 30, (see Fig. 8), any suitable device may be provided, as for example the collar 31 shown in Fig. 1 upon which is seated the base of the bobbin or tube in the usual manner, and which may have an enlargement 33 in the form of a flange, and I have shown a nipple 35 with an opening 36 somewhat smaller than the flange 33, so that the blade cannot be lifted through the aperture as long as the nipple is held in place within its appropriate opening 37 in the metal top member. To'insur'e such retention, the portion 38 of the nipple which enters the opening in the metal top member may have a plurality of bayonet joints with the metal top at several points in its periphery, one being indicated at 39 so that when engaged the nipple is locked firmly in place, but may be readily released by a slight turning movement, after which the spindle blade 1 may be lifted out, carrying with it the nipple, or the nipple may be removed first and then the blade. If it be desired to remove the metal top rail covering a series of spindles, this may be done without disturbing the nipples, and without lifting out the spindle blades 1.

The nipples serve to prevent escape of lubricant as the latter is splashed about in the trough for the purpose of lubricating the bands and gears, and I prefer to have the nipple stand at a distance of about one eighth of an inch from the adjacent spindle parts at all points.

In accordance with an important object of my invention, I provide means to permit the spindle blade 1 to be checked while the driving member or gear 10 continues to rotate rapidly under the actuation of the band 13, or such other driving mechanism as may be utilized, and any suitable device may be adopted for this purpose.

As one convenient form of such device I have shown a clutching member 40 operable by centrifugal force at times to couple the blade 1 with the driving gear, any suitable clutching member being capable of utilization for this purpose as for example, a ball or series of balls, which in the instance illustrated are shown as carried within equidistant radial recesses 41 of a metal collar 42 fast upon the spindle blade 1, these balls moving outward radially when the spindle blade 1 is rotated.

Any suitable means may be provided to complete the connection between these balls and the gear 10, and as one convenient form of such connection I have shown a rotatable member 45, taking the form of a collar having downwardly extending members 46, which project into position to enter sockets 47 in the walls of the gear 10, the sockets 47 and prongs 46 being preferably of a suitable length respectively to permit play of the gear 10 vertically without uncoupling the members or striking the collar 45, and the collar 45 preferably being of suificient interior diameter to constitute a running fit upon the ball collar 42, so that when the gear 10 is driven by band 13 the friction of the collar 45 will initiate rotation of the collar 42, and the balls 40 will be thrown outward radially into engagement with the collar 45, which will preferably be provided with suitable means to permit a positive actuative connection between the collars 42 and 45, through the medium of the balls.

Any suitable structure may be adopted for the above purposes, and as a simple and effective means for accomplishing this purpose, I have shown a series of recesses 49, which may be, and preferably are, equidisslightly smaller than the balls, so that the radial projection of the balls is limited within the outer hemisphere of the latter, and thus the balls cannot escape. By providing the aperture 49 of suitable size relatively to the diameter of the ball, the extent of pro j ection can be determined accurately and the locking effect made as rigid as required.

If, when the spindle is being rotated at the same speed with the gear 10, the operator grasps the spindle blade 1 to dofl the bobbin, Or for any other reason checks its motion, or if its checking is brought about accidentally, the arrest of the blade 1 does not interfere with the continued rotation of the collar 45, for the pressure of the balls under the action of centrifugal force is not enough, when properly regulated, to prevent their retirement into their recesses by the engagement of the collar 45 with their curved peripheries, and accordingly as soon as the balls are thus crowded back radially toward the blade 1, the spindle blade becomes dead and leaves the collar 45 free to rotate under the action of the gear 10, communicated by the prongs 46.

Any suitable means may be provided to retain the collars 4245 in proper relative position, and as one convenient device for this purpose I have shown the material of the collar 45 as extended inwardly between the collar 42 and the collar flange 33 to form a flange slightly less in depth than the portion 55 of the collar 42, which is preferably of suflieient height to be engaged with the lower surface of the collar flange 33, thus giving a rigid unitary structure co1nprising the blade 1 and collars 31 and 42,

with the collar 45 mounted rotatably thereupon.

It will be understood that the clutch above described constitutes a form of connective device of general application, its embodiment in the spindle illustrated serving as one eXample of the uses to which it may be put and which will readily occur to those skilled in the art of power transmitting mechanism.

I have shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 other embodiments of this novel clutch, which I will now describe.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 6, I have shown a flange 127 similar in function to flange 27 heretofore described, this flange 12'? however, being formed as part of a. collar member which may be stamped up out of sheet metal conveniently, having a neck 129 which enters between the collars 131and 142, and as this flange 127 does not'rotate with the collar 145, the flange 127 may serve as means to limit outward movement of the spindle blade 101 when the latter is lifted during clotting of the bobbin. 7

lt'will be understood that the operation of 'the balls 140 moving in the recesses 141 under centrifugal force .to enter recesses 149 of the collar 145 is similar to that already described with reference to the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and that the prongs 146 engage with the. gear 110 in similar fashion to that already described, permitting vertical play of the latter without lifting the spindle blade 101 from its step 106, whether the spindle blade be in motion or at rest. By grasping the spindle blade 101'the latter may bechecked at any time while the gear 110 continues to rotate the collar 145. When the blade 101 is released, the friction between the collars 142 and 145 starts the blade and induces centrifugal action upon the balls 140, which within a second or so enter the recesses 149 of the collar 145 and thereafter the spindle blade is rotated positively in unison with the gear 110.-

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the flange member 227 is formed out of metal suitably turned to shape instead of being formed outof sheet metal as in the case of the flange member 127, which it resembles in appearance and function, so that it is not necessary to describe the parts and oper-- ation of this modification, as they bear numbers which indicate their similarity to parts already described, as 201, 231, 233, 240, 241, 245,, 246 and 255.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the spindle blade 301 is shown as provided with a collar 342 with radial recesses 341 provided with balls 340 which, upon rotation of the blade 301, move outward radially under the action of centrifugal force, into engagement with a collar 345, provided with recesses 349 into which the balls may enter part way to couple positively for co-rotation the collars 342 and 345, and by grasping the blade 301, rotation of the latter is checked, the collar 345 crowds the balls inward radially intotheir recesses, and the spindle blade 301 stays dead, while the collar 345 is free to rotate under the action of suitable means such as the prongs 346 extending downward into sockets 347 on a gear 310 driven by suitable means'such as the metal driving band 313 cally, having preferably a spring 317 upon.

having apertures 312, to receive the gear teeth 311, the gear being free to move vertiwhich it floats under the action of the band 313.

This spindle s shown as mounted on a spindle base 302 within a trough 318 upon a spindle rail 304, and inclosedby a top trough surface of the metal top plate 325 surrounding the apertures 319. The collar 331 of the spindle blade is shown as having a flange 333 extending downwardly within the curb, so that any lubricant which reaches the flange will be directed downwardly by the flange into the'curb and will run back by gravitation into the trough.

In accordance with another important obj ect of my invention, suitable means may be provided to aid the operator in checking the spindles constructed in accordance with my invention, and suchmeans may be of any suitable construction, One convenient form of such braking device is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, taking the shape of aleaf spring bent at 400 to constitute a slide portion mounted preferably upon the metal top rail plate 325 and presenting a downwardly extending op: erating portion 401 of suitable breadth, say one inch and a half in width, and an upwardly extending braking portion 402 in the form of an inverted U suitably arranged for engagement with the flange 333. To operate this braking device the operator presses the knee against the portion 401, comprising the U-shaped leaf spring at that region, the upper end 444 of the leaf preferably bearing against'the edge of the metal top rail, 325, and causes'the slide portion 400 to move in ward within the housing 403, so that the overhanging portion of the member 402 which enters within the curb preferably will be engaged frictionally with the periphera flange 333.

The numeral 404 indicates a hold-down member mounted pivotally on the member 402, and serving to prevent displacement of the spindle blade when the hold-down stands over the collar 331. The hold-down 404 can be swung around to release the spindle blade.

The spring structure of these parts prevents injury to the spindle blade by undue pressure, as the metal top plate 325 limits the inward movement of the spring 401 under the pressure of the knee.

Any form of construction may be adopted for the housing or device which holds the brake upon the rail, and as one convenient form of device for this purpose I have shown an inverted U-shaped member 403, of metal, under which the slide 400 is free to move, and which U-shaped piece may be se cured adjustably to the metal rail, as by means of a post 405 riveted to the rail and having a threaded portion 406 extending upward through the slot 407 in the brake slide 400 and another slot 408 in the. housing member 403, the screw nut 409 serving when rundown upon the threaded Shank 406 -of dially, and at 28 the nipple is shown as drawn inward, forming a shoulder above the flange 27' so that a tortuous passage of annular contour is formed all around the spindle. The flange 27 stands a trifle more than one-eighth of an inch below the shoulder 28 so that when the spindle is lifted, its collar flange will strike the nipple near the month, before the flange 27 can reach the shoulder 28, and thus the prong-collar 15 and its flange 27 can rotate freely even when the spindle is slightly lifted for doffi ng or other purposes.

Having thus fully illustrated and described. my invention and suitable means by which the same may be carried into effect, I wish it understood that I do not lnmt myself to the specific materials and structural forms selected for illustration and description by way of example, nor do I limit myself in general. otherwise than as set forth in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising a plurality of rotatable members; a device carried by one of said members and operable at times by centrifugal force to connect said members substantially positively for co-rotation in each direction, according to the direction of rotation of the driving member, another of said members having a portion to cooperate with said device in the formation of said connection, and serving also to control the operation of said connecting device and to throw it off upon arrest of one of said members.

Powertransmitting mechanism; comprising a plurality of rotatable members, and an intermediate clutching member operable at times by centrifugal force to connect said rotatable members co-actuatively, said instrumentalities being constructed and arranged to permit the arrestof one of said rotatable members, and thereby to withdraw said clutching member from the action of centrifugal force, releasing said other rotatable member, regardless of the direction of rotation of said members.

3. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising a plurality of rotatable members recessed to receive a clutching member operable at times by centrifugal force to connect said rotatable members co-actuatively, and

clutching members in said recesses, said clutching members being retirable into said recessed portlon to avoid sald connectlve operatlen when it is deemed to check one of said rotatable members, said retirement being effective in each direction of rotation of sald members.

f. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising an inner rotatable member having a recess; a clutching member in said recess; and an outer rotatable member; said instrumentalities being constructed and arranged to permit said clutching member to connect said rotatable members co-rotatively under the action of centrifugal force when said members are rotated, and to cause retirement of said clutching member into non-connective position within said recess when the rotation of said inner member is checked, said retirement being effective in each direction of rotation of said members.

5. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising an inner rotatable member having a recess; a ball in said recess; and an outer rotatable member; said instrumentalities being constructed and arranged to permit said ball to connect said rotatable members corotatively under the action of centrifugal force when said members are rotated, and to cause retirement of said ball into non-connective position within said recess when the rotation of said inner member is checked.

6. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising an inner rotatable member having three equidistant recesses; balls in said recesses; and an outer rotatable member; said instrumentalities being constructed and arranged to permit said balls to connect said rotatable members co-rotatively under the action of centrifugal force when said members are rotated, and to cause retirement of said balls into non-connective position within said recesses when the rotation of saidinner member is checked.

7 Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising an inner rotatable member recessed to receive a ball; a ball movable bodily radially in said recess; and an outer rotatable member having a recess constructed and arranged to receive a portion of said ball at times to permit connection of said members co-rotatively under the action of centrifugal force.

8. Power-transmitting mechanism; comprising an inner rotatable member recessed to receive a ball; a ball movablebodily radially in said recess; and an outer rotatable member having a recess constructed and arranged to receive a portion of said ball at times to permit connection of said members co-rotatively under the action of centrifugal force; said outer recess being of smaller diameter than said ball to restrict the radial projection of the latter thereinto within a hemisphere.

9. Power-transmitting apparatus; comprising an inner rotatable driven member; an outer rotatable driving member; a driving band arranged in tangential relation with, and geared positively to, said driving member; and connective means acting under the influence of centrifugal force, when sa1d inner member is rotated, to connect said members, said connective meansremaining inoperative when said inner member is checked, permitting rotation of said outer member relatively thereto, under the driving action of said band, said members having contacting parts serving to develop rotation of said inner member when released,

.State of New York, this5th day of April,

HENRY L. BROWN.

Witnesses ALEXANDER C. PROUDFIT, JOHN B. WENTWORTH.

Copies of this patent may. be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

